Risks of Energy East pipeline plan highlighted in new photo exhibit; Exhibit opens to the public today – a day after TransCanada’s filing with the NEB

Toronto, ON – A timely new photo exhibit, Exposing Energy East: people and places at risk by TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline plan, opens to the public today, one day after TransCanada filed its application for the mega-pipeline with the National Energy Board. The Toronto photo exhibit turns the lens on exquisite Canadian landscapes, from forests to wetlands, threatened by Energy East. It also highlights concerns of Canadians, from farmers to fishermen, who live along the mega-pipeline’s proposed route. If approved, Energy East would carry up to 1.1 million barrels of tar sands oil a day, from Alberta, through the Prairies and Ontario to Quebec and New Brunswick. Up to 90 per cent of the pipeline’s oil would be exported unrefined. Energy East would be the largest tar sands pipeline in the world. “Energy East has massive risks for Canadians. It would put the water of millions of Canadians at risk of tar sands oil spills,” says Environmental Defence’s Adam Scott. “This exhibit is a chance to come face to face with Canadian landscapes Energy East threatens and hear from people, along the pipeline’s route, who are worried about the impact of a tar sands oil spill on their livelihoods and environment. Taken together, the images serve as an important reminder that these are real communities and real parts of our country in harm’s way.” Presented by Environmental Defence, the exhibit features the work of two notable photographers, Garth Lenz and Robert van Waarden. Both have published work in esteemed outlets like National Geographic and been exhibited internationally, from New York to London. What: Exposing Energy East: a photo exhibit Where: The Richmond, 477 Richmond St W, Suite 104, Toronto When:

Exhibit opens to the public today. Exhibit runs October 31 to November 5 (Weekend hours: 11 am – 4 pm; Weekday hours: 2 pm – 7 pm) Artist talk: Saturday November 1 at 2 pm – Robert van Waarden will discuss his work in the context of how art can contribute to social change.

For information about the exhibit, visit www.exposingenergyeast.ca. About ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is Canada’s most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all. -30- For more information or media requests, please contact: Naomi Carniol, Environmental Defence, 416-323-9521 ext 258; 416-570-2878 (cell) ncarniol@environmentaldefence.ca